Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake (Printable Version)
Hearty casserole with lean turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables in savory spices
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cups baby spinach
→ Pantry & Spices
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Toppings
16 - 1/2 cup shredded dairy-free cheese or cheddar cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
05 - Stir in smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the meat evenly with spices.
06 - Add the diced sweet potatoes to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes begin to soften.
07 - Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil.
09 - Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top if desired.
10 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
11 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender and the top is golden.
12 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven meaning minimal cleanup
- The sweet potatoes get perfectly tender while absorbing all those savory spices
02 -
- Dont skip the step of partially cooking the sweet potatoes on the stove or they'll still be crunchy after baking
- Letting the dish rest for 5 minutes out of the oven helps everything settle and makes serving easier
03 -
- Cut your sweet potatoes slightly smaller than you think you need they take longer to cook than everything else
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day when the spices have had time to meld